MORATORIUM RULED OUT ON OIL LICENCES OFF WEST COAST

Date Published: 18-Jul-2011

The Minister for Energy Pat Rabbitte has ruled out delaying oil licences along the West Coast until a review of the State's existing terms for oil and gas companies is carried out.

The Irish Times is reporting Minister Rabbitte was responding to a call by Galway West Deputy Eamon O'Cuiv.

Deputy O'Cuiv has criticised the Minister's apparent 'haste' to issue licences when a review of the existing terms would only take months.

SIPTU is also calling for a moratorium on issuing oil and gas licences until a promised Oireachtas reveiw of the licensing system is carried out.

Minister Rabbitte is due to decide on 15 new licence applications submitted for the Atlantic margin round.